Product Description

Randall Beiler is doing his best to put his family and the farm's needs first, even forsaking love. But though he tries, Randall knows he needs help caring for his younger siblings and keeping the house together.

When his brother offers pretty Elizabeth Nolt a job taking care of the house and cooking for the family, Randall is furious-and guilty about the way he once broke Elizabeth's heart. But when he learns that Elizabeth and her grandmother are struggling to make ends meet, he knows the offer, no matter how painful, is the right thing for everyone.

Elizabeth wants to refuse-to stay far away from the man who hurt her-but she needs the money. Though she vows to protect her heart, spending time in the Beiler household makes Elizabeth realize that, while she's older and wiser, her love for Randall still burns strong.

Publisher's Description

Return to Sugarcreek with bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray for a heartwarming story of second chances with a young Amish couple

Randall Beiler will sacrifice anything to take care of his younger siblings and the family farm, even if it means forsaking love. But when his brother offers pretty Elizabeth Nolt a job cleaning and cooking for the family, Randall is furious—and feels guilty about the way he once broke Elizabeth's heart. Then he learns that Elizabeth and her grandmother are struggling to make ends meet and he knows the offer, no matter how painful, is the right thing for everyone.

Elizabeth wants to refuse but she needs the work. Though she vows to protect her heart, spending time in the Beiler household makes Elizabeth realize that her love for Randall still burns strong. And though Randall keeps his distance at first, time and teamwork reveal that something deeper still connects them.

Elizabeth isn't sure what to think: Does Randall want her because he truly loves her, or because he needs a housekeeper? And if his feelings have changed for sure, Randall must find a way to show Elizabeth what she really means to him or risk losing his partner in life and love forever.

Author Bio

Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.

Editorial Reviews

A beautiful story of faith, hope, and second chances. Her characters are so real that they feel like old friends. Once you open the book, you won’t put it down until you’ve reached the last page.
“Enjoyable and heartwarming.”
The final book of the Return to Sugarcreek series has romance and secrets with sweet, lovable characters who will do what they must for their family...Gray’s books are a treat to read; her research on the Amish is incredible. She gives the culture the respect it deserves.
“Once again, Shelley has written a five star story you won’t be able to put down until the very end. JOYFUL is a page turner and will pull at your heart.”
“As always, Ms. Shepard Gray, delivers a delightful read...proving book three of the series to be as enchanting as the first two.”

What a great ending to the series, Return to Sugarcreek, with Joyful: Return to Sugarcreek, Book Three! I love Shelley Shepard Gray's writings, easy reading. She uses just the right words to give you that right amount of detail to place you right there beside the characters as you are reading her story.

Randall Beiler steps up to raise his younger siblings and to keep the Beiler farm going, but he felt is was best to call off his two-year courtship with Elizabeth Nolt.

After a few months time, things are not going so well inside the household, cooking and cleaning especially. Two of the brothers decide it's best if they ask for help and whom they have in mind is not who Randall would have asked to help his family.

Will love conquer all?

My favorite character was Kaylene Beiler; she's the youngest of eight siblings. Kaylene's siblings have been raising her since her birth after their mother passed away.

My favorite scene was with Kaylene and Elizabeth in the kitchen talking. Kaylene just got home from school and wanted to see her second oldest brother.

I hope Shelley Shepard Gray does a series or book around Kaylene Beiler in the future.

The very first book of hers I read was Hidden. That was it. I was hooked.

Since that time, I have read more and more of her books and with every one, I become a bit more of a fan.

I picked up Joyful and I simply could NOT put it down. It is that fantastic a story!

Joyful shows the growth of an author who has honed her craft over the years but it also holds the same talent that has always been there.

Shelley excells at taking a normal, average story that we could read anywhere and draw us in to it. This is a story that we could just as easily read about from a contemporary viewpoint but Shelleys love of Amish culture brings an extra special touch to it.

We first met the Beilers (in this new series anyway) in Hopeful and we have had three books now to see their special circumstances, and isnt it amazing how many parallels there are between Hopeful (the first book in the series) and Joyful (the third) A Beiler man who is ferhuddled by a young woman from the Sugarcreek community

And yet there are so many differences as well. Miriam and Elizabeth are two very different women, with two very different temperaments and very different life experiences.

In Joyful, we get a close look at the Beiler family again. This wonderful family has such heart and the members of it will capture yours.

If Shelley decides to continue with Sugarcreek (and I truly hope she does), she has plenty more characters we would all LOVE to know more about in the years to come.

At least I know I would.

And if theyre even half as terrific as Joyful, shell have even more fans flocking to snatch up her books!

The third book in the Return to Sugarcreek series and while it reads well as a standalone there are a couple of secondary storylines that will bring more reader satisfaction if you have read the first two books.

Elizabeth and Randall's second chance love story takes centre stage in the aptly titled Joyful. Both struggle with their perception of duty and a reluctance to allow others to share the load. An interesting inspirational thread -- the idea of being too self-sacrificing. Elizabeth and Randall need to figure out that only God can bring true balance and until they do there's angst aplenty.

This is book 3 of the Amish Return to Sugarcreek series. The main story is about Elizabeth and Randall, young Amish adults, both trying to keep their families together. Elizabeth has lost a lot through her young life and just wants to take care of her grandmother. Randall has also lost a lot through his life and just wants to keep his younger brothers and sister together as one family. The story is heartfelt and shows us that GOD will guide you through life and bring you joy if you let him. We also meet two other families in the book, one who is a foster family and one that is going through single life and a business. It all comes down to how you can be joyful, no matter what happens in your life, stay strong and hold on to GOD. HE will show you that joy and happiness all you need to do is believe.

I would recommend this as a light read and if you are an Amish fan, then you will enjoy this book. I enjoyed it as an easy relaxing read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through Litfuse. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising